rs3003 wrote:
Hey Team,
I've read through some of your profile evaluations and they seem very useful. Would be grateful if you could do the same for me.
Thanks in advance!
Target Schools, programs and year:
- Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT and Wharton.
- Full Time MBA
- 24 or 25 In-take (still deciding)
Demographics:
- Male
- 25
- India
- Have a green card
Education:
- B. Sc. (Hons) Economics and Finance, Ashoka University
- Minor in Entrepreneurship
- GPA: 3.81/4.0; graduated Magna cum Laude
- GRE: 330/340; considering taking the GMAT
Extracurriculars:
- Director of Rotary Club at University
- Founding Member, Consulting Club at University
- French Language Certification (A2)
Work Experience:
- 9 months at a RE-focused private equity fund; worked with a portfolio company's leadership
- c.2 years at EY-Parthenon in their education practice; received an early promotion and a corporate award for high-impact
- 10 months and counting at a mid-market PE fund in their portfolio value creation and origination team; role is a little unique as we are also involved with the deal process and in deal origination
Post MBA Goals:
- Not crystal clear yet
- Potentially work at my family business; c.$15M in revenue and involved in capacity and EV charger production
- Alternatively join a VC fund in the States
In particular, I want your views on:
- School selection; which schools do I have a realistic chance at?
- Do you think I should retake the GMAT/GRE or is my score adequate?
- Should I look to apply in 2024 or do I have enough experience to apply in R2 of this academic cycle?
Appreciate the help! Thank you
Your education, with B. Sc. (Hons) in Economics and Finance, Ashoka University and Minor in Entrepreneurship with a GPA of 3.81/4.0 is indeed impressive. So is your GRE score.
Keep in mind that your target schools are quite selective and if you can increase your score on a re-attempt it would be immensely helpful in increasing your competitiveness. Getting into Harvard, Stanford, or MIT will always be a challenge due to their low acceptance rates. Columbia and Wharton may be slightly more within reach. Consider expanding your list to include some backup options.
(It would make more sense to take GRE again than attempt a completely new format but you can take that call after discussing with your coach and researching school averages.)
Your extracurricular activities, as Director of Rotary Club at University - Founding Member, Consulting Club at University, and French Language Certification (A2) are also great.
The only perceived weakness at this stage is the duration of your work experience. Although your work experience is quite diverse and you've received recognition, it's still on the lower side for some top MBA programs, especially if you're aiming for a 2024 intake. Typically, candidates with 3-5 years of work experience are more competitive. You could potentially apply in R2 if you believe your experiences and accomplishments are strong enough by then.
Additionally, schools do appreciate candidates who have a sense of direction. Try to refine your career goals and make a strong case for whatever course of action you choose.
Showcasing leadership and impact throughout the application by crafting compelling essays will go a long way.
To sum up, you have a competitive profile, but the competitiveness of the schools you are targeting and your relatively low work experience for a 2024 intake could be challenges. Consider broadening your school list, possibly retaking the GMAT/GRE, and refining your post-MBA goals. Applying in R2 this academic cycle might be a bit early. It might be a good idea to build your profile further and apply in the next cycle for optimal results.
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